Tried these new releases from DCV over the weekend:
!. DryCreekVnyds SauvBlanc DryCreekVlly (14.1%; Hrvstd: 8/31-9/25; Frmtd: 84% SS/16% brls; SaH: 23.7 Brix; TA: 0.66%) 2018: Med.light gold color w/ tiny bubbles; fairly strong SB/melony/herbal light pencilly/oak rather fragrant nose; fairly tart/tangy light pencilly/oak fairly strong melony/SB/floral/lightly herbal bright/zippy/spicy very attractive flavor; very long some tart/tangy bit rich/lush strong floral/melony/SB/light herbal slight chalky finish; no signs of dissolved CO2 on palate; a lovely quite melony expression of SB at a great price. $20.00/$14.00 (VSP)
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2. DryCreekVnyds FumeBlanc/SauvBlanc (Vine age: 6+ yrs; 13.5%) 2018: Light yellow color w/ tiny bubbles; attractive low-key/mild SB/melony light spicy/herbal/cinammon nose; fairly tart/grapefruity light SB/melony slight herbal bit earthy rather mild-mannered/quiet flavor; med.long lightly tart/grapefruity light SB/melony/herbal finish; no dissolved CO2 on palate; a pleasant/low-key/quiet SB that borders on the simple/bland in comparison to #1. $16.00/$11.20 (VSP)
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3. DryCreekVnyds Zin HeritageVines SonomaCnty (Vine age: 22+ yrs; 77% Zin/21% PS/2% Carignane; 14.8%) 2017: Very dark color; very strong bright/Zin/Zinberry/raspberry/very spicy some vanilla/Am.oak some dusty/OV slightly peppery lovely perfumed nose; rather tart bright Zinberry/Zin/raspberry/slight blackberry some vanilla/Am.oak some dusty/OV less intense more DCVlly/spicy Zin flavor w/ light tangy tannins; very long/lingering bright/Zinberry/raspberry some dusty/OV finish w/ light tangy tannins; shows lots of bright DCVlly raspberry Zin character; bit more exhuberance; will probably put on weigt; a bit tight/restrained right now; another beautiful HeritageVines Zin. $26.00/$18.20 (VSP)
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4. DryCreekVnyds Zin HeritageVines SonomaCnty (79% Zin/20% PS/1% Primitivo; 14.5%) 2016: Very dark color; deeper some raspberry/blackberry/Zin/fairly spicy light earthy/RRV-like light toasty/oak/bit smokey less bright/DCVlly some dusty/OV bit complex nose; softer bit richer/lusher/deeper some dusty/OV more blackberry/Zin/boysenberrylight toasty/oak flavor w/ modest softer tannins; very long/lingering fairly rich/lush strong blackberry/boysenberry/ripe Zin lght toasty/smokey/oak finish w/ modest round tannins; shows more like a RRV Zin; richer/rounder/smoother as would expect w/ a yr's more age; a beautiful Zin at a great price. $19.50 (KK)
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. The VSP prices are the Vintner'sSelectProgram, to which I'm a charter member. I have, of course, followed DCV from the very start..the '72 Gamay. I remember when Dave's first '73 Zin came out. I was a bit disappointed. A bright/zippy Zin much in the style of DougNalle. In those days, the bigger/more extracted the Zin was, the better. Over then yrs, DCV Zins never fell down that rabbit hole. These days, DCV is at the top of their game.
The DCV Heritage Zins is always one of my favorites. So when this '17 was released recently, I had to try it. At this point in time, I prefer the '16. But as it puts on weight, I suspect the '17 will be every bit its equal.
Tom